Toxicology Research Scientist Full-time

Research Scientist

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a highly motivated and innovative scientist to join our Predictive and Investigative Safety Assessment (Toxicology) group in San Diego. This lab-based role offers an exciting opportunity to lead the development of advanced 3D organoid models, organ-on-a-chip technologies, and fit-for-purpose assays to investigate toxicological mechanisms and support our therapeutic discovery and development efforts.

Key duties and responsibilities include:

• Design and develop fit-for-purpose assays to investigate toxicological mechanisms using advanced 3D organoid models, organ-on-a-chip technologies, and/or co-culture systems.
• Lead the development and application of innovative platforms for studying toxicology in multicellular systems, including immune cell interactions and primary cell-based models.
• Develop and optimize assays to evaluate toxicological mechanisms, with a focus on precision, reproducibility, and scalability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate advanced in vitro models into drug discovery workflows, supporting safety assessment and therapeutic development.
• Apply cutting-edge technologies, including automation and high-throughput plate formats, to enhance assay performance and throughput.
• Partner with Systems Toxicology to generate and analyze complex biological datasets from in vitro models, enabling the identification of toxicological mechanisms and establishing in vitro-in vivo correlations.
• Effectively communicate scientific findings, project progress, and key insights in project team meetings, department meetings, and discussions with key stakeholders to drive decision-making and inform strategic goals.

Knowledge and skills required include:

• Familiarity with omics datasets (transcriptomics, proteomics, secretomics, etc.).
• Experience with scripting (Python and/or R/Bioconductor).
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams and collaborate across disciplines.
• Self-motivated, organized, and innovative, with excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot and solve complex biological and technical challenges in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• A passion for advancing toxicology research to improve drug safety and transform the lives of patients.

Education and experience required:

• Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in toxicology, cellular biology, immunology, biochemistry, biophysics, or related disciplines with 0-3 years of relevant postdoctoral employment experience, or a Masters degree and 3+ years of experience or a Bachelors degree and 6+ years of experience.
• Strong expertise in developing and working with 3D organoid models, organ-on-a-chip technologies, and/or co-culture systems, particularly involving primary epithelial cells and immune cells.
• Proven experience in designing and optimizing cell-based assays for disease modeling and/or evaluating mechanisms of toxicity.
• Expertise in immune cell biology and co-culture models for studying immune-mediated toxicities.